"Phenomenal" efforts of Highland Council staff praised following "unprecedented" storms
THE 'phenomenal' efforts of council staff have been praised by senior Highland Council figures following the past week's 'unprecedented' storms and snow.
Following widespread disruption to the power, road and rail networks the council took part in multi-agency efforts to clear up the damage.
Hundreds of council staff were involved in the response, working long hours and often in atrocious conditions. Last weekend some areas saw between 50% and 100% of the council's resources mobilised to help with the clean-up efforts.
Council leader, Cllr Drew Hendry, said: “In what has been a period of weather related disruption, the scale of which is unprecedented in recent times, the council has delivered an outstanding response, together with its partners in the utilities, police, health and the Red Cross, over a period of several days.
“Across the region, the rail networks have been at a standstill, ferries disrupted, hundreds of roads closed with fallen trees, schools closed, and thousands of homes and businesses without power, many thousands of which for several days.
“Moving straight from one wind weather related incident into another, with snow blizzards, ice and the forecast of further strong winds, council staff have had to deal with the recovery from the events of the weekend, as well as prepare for the continuing severe weather."
Mr Hendry also praised the staff of utility companies who delivered a "remarkable response" to restore power to more than 120,000 homes.
And he also offered thanks to the Red Cross for the assistance of many volunteers in helping to care for people in communities.”
Chief Executive Steve Barron added: ““There have been tremendous challenges to address including, loss of power (often for extended periods), loss of communications and damage to infrastructure and we have responded magnificently in delivering vital services, providing reception centres, working together with partners and helping those folk who need us most at a time like this.
“It is during such times of challenge that the council and its people show best what we are made of.”
